If the Browns are going to win a game this should be the game.

Carson Wentz has been named week one starter for the Eagles. Wentz has played in one pre-season game and missed the rest with a hairline rib fracture.

He comes to the Eagles from North Dakota State. Not exactly the most recognized football school.

The Eagles had planned on having Wentz sit this year until The Vikings lost Bridgewater and then traded a first rounder to get Bradford.

So Wentz gets the nod over Chase Daniels who does know the system and has way more experience. They figured Wentz is the future so let him get his lumps now.

Enter the Browns. Going against the Eagles who are predicted to win very few games starting a quarterback who was expected to sit this year. Jared Goff selected number one was named the third string quarterback for the Rams.

The Browns have plenty of rookies and are not expected to win many games. So maybe this the time that the Browns can actually start the season 1-0. Can't remember the last time they won the first game.

spread instantly goes from 7 to 3.5

Last (and only) season opening win: against Baltimore in 04

I'm not sure what the reaction around here would be if Wentz plays well and the Browns lose. It would be "interesting", to put it mildly.

its going to happen

Horton will be throwing every blitz he has at the rook.

let's hope it works then. for years our blitzers seem to get picked up quite easily and disappear into the line ... leaving slants/swings/crossing routes open to gouge us

no tape on him. overconfident team. not a good combination. I don't like it.

Of course, the alternative is Chase Daniel, who has already roasted us IIRC.

Honestly I wish they still had Bradford, and I think Wentz is going to be a bust regardless of what happens this weekend.

Hopefully Nassib can get a clean, wide open hit on them ribs lol...

or maybe we don't want to knock him out of the game

Do we even have the talent in the front 7 for that to be effective?

I don't. It hasn't been mentioned, but in the short term, Philly was going to win more games with Bradford. This helps us with the 1st round pick we got from Philly.

Chase Daniel has never played a meaningful snap against the Browns

I really dont know what we have especially n defense. All we have to go on with these guys is college production. Even our year 2 guys have not had success at this level its the college production that we hope can now translate to this level.

I like the type of pass rushers we have however. These guys arent just the great athlete with burst that never made plays. The guys we have left produced sacks and made tackles for lost. They have that high football IQ combined with relentless hustle. They want to play football because they enjoy playing the game.

Mostof these guys are exactly the type of players we have begged for since the return. Now do i think horton is capable of getting these guys to play at a high level? no i really dont have any confidence in him to be honest but just like these kids he is gonna get a chance to prove himself here.

Horton blitzes like crazy no matter who the QB is, it's what he does.

Just hoping that RG3 plays well - that Hue's offense is on point and we show some signs of life. Hoping the preseason was a vanilla blend of plays that we won't see in the regular season. Hoping to see: Duke active as a receiver, Coleman getting the ball in space/1 on 1 match-ups so we can see him shake and bake/Erving not caving in/ running the call consistently.

Defense is potentially so awful that we might make Wentz look good if he is playing - all I want to see is some signs of life from some of the rookies - Haden back to close to his best - and please oh pretty please, some tackling.

Hopefully we should be able to win this one... Anyone know the stats on rookie QBs in their first start?

We might actually have a shot to win an opener.

Then again, Ryan Mathews might have a career day against the Browns rush D. I'd imagine several screens and/or outlet passes to Sproles as well. Those two could take a lot of the pressure off of Wentz.

Doug Pederson isn't stupid. He knows right now the offense goes through
Ryan Matthews.
Expect alot of running on early downs to set up 3rd and makeables.
This isn't a automatic win for the Browns
Wentz does have some talent at WR and Phillys front 7 is better than
Average.
I expect a low scoring game.
If the Browns run defense can miraclously show up and make The
Eagles one dimensinal it's easier route to a win

Starts by rookie QBs against us since 1999:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/pl..._by=pass_rating

Ryan Matthews is not that great.

Which usually means he will have a breakout game.

However! I am starting him in FF. So he should most likely have a terrible game..

Anyways..

The key to our Run D at least to start out I think will be tackling. The first guy there has to bring him down. It seems in the past that if the first guy misses, then someone else will miss too.

2nd and 8 instead of 2nd and 5. *Al Pachino Voice*

History shows the QBS on that list who go on to be playoff QBS usually more often than not beat the Browns.
I wonder how blitzes Horton will dial.up.

Hopefully we don't play similarly to how we did against Jameis Winston. We lose contain on Wentz and he could hurt us if his ribs hold up. Maybe we signed Holmes strictly to rattle Wentz with this game in mind.

That stat is INCREDIBLE. If I counted correctly, teams who start a rookie against us are 30-13 .. just MIND BOGGLING

I assume it'll be 31-13

if that doesn't define ineptitude I don't know what else to say

It is almost impossible to know what Wentz will be in the 1st game.

He is coming off of injured (fractured)ribs. He went 12/24 for 89 yards and an INT against the Bucs in week 1 i=of the preseason. (I believe that was just over a half)

That's it. He sat out games 2, 3, and 4. I don't know how much practice he has had. He reportedly returned to practice 2 weeks ago, the Monday befor the preseason finale .... so he got a little bit of time on the field, but not much.

We'll see how he develops, being thrown into the fire. I would sit him, if I were the coach. It seems to me that he has had little time to actually prepare to be an NLF QB. Of course, this probably means that we will give up 500 yards passing and 6 TD in week 1.

He didn't even get #2 QB reps in Training Camp..

It's assured we'll have a top 10 pick in 17 so it'd be nice to send Philly on their way to a crap season so we'd collect 2 top 10's or better.

We could legitimately have the Top 2 picks in the draft..

Have you seen our run defense? It isn't going to matter.

We really didnt show any run blitz at all until the first quarter of this last game and then only for a couple plays. Lebeau way is to run blitz early and often. Doesnt mean we wont be horrible but just that we really havent played anything but our most basic of defensive sets. those sets we are unlikely to play much under Horton.

You all leave out the Philly defense and they are a very solid group. This philly team is stacked believe that we will lose regardless of who the QB for them is.

This is the perfect 1st game for the rook in combo with their running attack we are dust.

yeah, i expect fletcher cox to be a force against our OL ... and for them to focus on getting the ball quickly to both Matthews

It would be nice if he can figure out how to stop the other guys on 3rd down. That would be a pleasant change of pace.

Man you can't write it any better than this.

Browns have the 2nd pick, trade it to the Eagles for a number of picks in the future. The Eagles then turn around and pick Wentz at 2.

Teddy Bridgewater goes down and the Eagles trade their starter to the Vikes and then name Wentz the starter against the Browns.

If Wentz plays well, the FO of the Browns will NEVER hear the end of it. LOL

This is gonna be something to watch for sure.

I remember Adrian Peterson's first game against us, after we passed on him. He slaughtered us.

Hope the same doesn't happen with Wentz.

Come on guys. Have some faith.

We about to murder Wentz. It's gonna be as bad as last year against Mariota. Pryor is about to go off first game of the season.

I'm worried about RG3 surviving Fletcher Cox in a 4-3.

And this is why it's a perfect situation for a rookie Qb. No credible secondary. No credible run defense. Wentz has a good environment to flourish within and gain experience.

C'mon, they'd be stupid to not play him given what our defense is.

that's a concern

Their defense is way, way better than ours

If I were going to throw a rookie into the fire, our D would be the best opportunity to do so.

Stacked?

Outside of Malcolm Jenkins, I couldn't tell you any other person they have on their defense..

I think our Offense has a shot to score points.

They have more talent on defense than us, that is for sure. Fletcher Cox, Connor Barwin, and Brandon Graham are better than any player we have on our defensive line. Mychal Kendricks is pretty good. They are not stacked.

welp, thats why they play the game.. we'll know how much better they are come Sunday.

Phillys front 7 are really sound tacklers and can cover alot of ground.
In fact their front 7 is light years better than the Browns.
Joe Haden is the only one on the Browns d that could start for the Eagles.

See this?

This right here.

THIS is why pot is illegal

I think our O will be better than their D. will know soon enough

lol I mean come on bro, we certainly have a shot.

only if we're packing

For his first start, what are the odds that carson looks like a hall of famer?

I can't wait for Carson to show, "Mr. Moneyball", why analytics are not as helpful in football. So much about the game is having that eye-test, not just about stats. Did not realize it was going to be this Sunday for that to happen, but I could not be any more excited. I will be there in person to watch the first ever Eagles quarterback as the starter on game one of an NFL season. The season just became so much more interesting.

Only in 48 states.

Considering that the Browns have not been correct about a drafting a quarterback since Bernie Kosar, the odds are high that Carson lights them up, and has a fabulous career. Actually, I stand corrected, the one franchise quarterback in Browns's history had to select them. Ouch.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Kosar

Against us? 50/50

You guys are too self-deprecating - I feel bad smack talking.

don't feel bad. i certainly wont feel bad when your QB cracks another rib getting sacked 5 times on sunday.

We have a forum called Smack Shack. Feel free to go there and discuss. We all know how classy Philly sports fans behave, so I'm sure you be a delightful addition.

Don't you worry. We'll leave the five sacks and (one, maybe two, pick sixes) to RGMe, who got abused by Billy Davis's defenses and will be under pressure from a legitimate defensive coordinator.

The smack shack is almost as dead as the Browns's chances of victory this Sunday.

Here's an answer for that, either don't do it or do it in the smack shack. LOL

I'm taking my talents to another forum.

But, before I do, hoping for a good clean game on Sunday, with no injuries!

With only 39 snaps in preseason and a cracked rib he passed the Philly eye test? I'll stick with analytics over that eye test any day.

I agree. From our point of view the only thing we can offer the team is positive vibes. So why not project that before and during the game?

The way I see it, Wentz shouldn't throw more then 15 passes for the day. If he does, one of two things occurred:

1. RGIII flipped a switch and put up some serious points early, or
2. The Philly coaches screwed the pooch and is asking him to do something he's probably not ready to do.

We haven't been able to stop the run in what, 3 decades? If Wentz needs to ball out, it's looking pretty good for us.

Spergon Wynn vs our defense = HOF.. seriously though as long as wentz can hand the ball off and complete a 3 yard and less pass they won't have to punt

I see us having a Mariotta kind of game. But I still see us losing.

j/c:

The Browns should win this game.

Wentz played in the FCS in college. He didn't have a ton of starts in college.

He missed time in preseason. He has very few reps. This is the NFL where even bad teams can eat up and spit out inexperienced qbs.

I can't believe Philly isn't starting Daniels.

Vers is correct on all accounts. we should win this game.

I'm willing to guess that we won't.

All valid points, vers. Wentz will see a game - fast and frenetic at the NFL level - unlike anything he's seen before, magnified by his lack of TC work; I'd start Daniels also, if I were them.

Actually, make that 46. It is legal in 4 states (AK, WA, OR, CO) + DC.

Good thing is...RG3 is familiar with Schwartz's defense. If we lose I don't think it will be because of Wentz. I am happy to eat humble pie if wrong and he has an outstanding day. But, I think if we lose it will be a combination of our own mistakes, penalties, an inability to contain their defense or us not being able to stop the run.

Agree Bonefish....the Clowns were handed a gift by the Eagles. Should be 1-0....but no guarantees.

Hopefully well sequre the first pick in the draft with either our pick or the Eagles 1st.

Maybe because they are not afraid of our Defense?

While I don't know about how he did in his first pre-season, Joe Flacco won his first game as a rookie for the Ravens, and he started Week 1. Just looked it up, beat the Bengals in 2008.


I'm really hoping the Browns win this won, but I'm not so sure. Hopefully our offense can put a decent enough amount of points on the board and sustain some drives to keep our young, inexperienced defense rested

Since they are starting a rookie our best bet is to blizt like crazy. Make him as uncomfortable in the pocket as possible. This game is one of our few shots at winning a game this year. Most games will be out of our reach and that's fine. We are in total rebuild mode and it will take a while to completely make over this team. I had this game down as a sure loss but now that they are starting a rookie I think we have a shot. Not a GREAT shot. Odds are still against us. But a small chance. We shall see. I like Wentz. I had hoped we would take him. However, he's a rookie and he's missed a LOT of time in camp due to his injury. We need to be like blitzburgh and really shake the kid up! Go Browns!

Or perhaps like us they are in rebuild mode and want to give the kid as much experience as they can so next year he's already up and running.....

Yeah, but Wentz was injured in the first preseason game. He also never got starter's reps until they traded Bradford.

It's an odd situation and I am still shocked they are starting him over Daniels.

j/c

Seems like organizational/FO mandate more then a "decision" from the coaches.

This is why we win ... JMHO

The kid didnt play many games in college, no preseason work. Everyone talking about the Browns are sacrificing this season but I havent seen it that way but I do see the Eagles sacrificing this season in an attempt to get WEntz the experience to go forward in year 2. Its very risky but, I do find it funny that the only rookie QB to be starting will be Dak lol.

guess other organizations do that too.. lol

And Wentz.

lol i meant wentz and Dak as I thought Lynch and Goff would be the 2 starting.

I thought Wentz was the most pro-ready, but he did miss a bunch of reps due to his former spot on the depth chart and the injury. His biggest adjustment will simply be the speed which you can really only adapt to on the field. He had experience with checks, audibles, running a huddle. and snaps under center. NDSU also ran a bunch of NFL concepts/route combinations. He could be good down the road, but I think we caught him at the right time.

I wonder if we'll keep a spy on him. His scrambles seemed to get him going a lot of the time in college.

This is very unsettling.. no rookie QB has EVER started in week 1 throwing less than 30 passes in preseason.. and one is starting against us...

I hope we win but this would be an even more humiliating loss if he comes out and lights us up for 27...

I don't think us giving up 27 points is getting "lit up"

Matthews could have 2 TDs, Sproles could take a screen pass 50 yards, and RG3 could throw a pick 6.. That's 28 points, and Wentz hasn't really done anything..

Unless the defense surprises, 27 could be the average this year..

I just threw a number out there.. my point is, the whole world is wondering why the Eagles did what they did and if it means they are just dumping this season... watch us make Wentz look like the second coming of Johnny Unitas...

Over the last 20 years, nobody has launched more QB careers than Cleveland Defenses.

I think Wentz could have multiple turnovers and take a lot of sacks.

His lack of reps w/the starting offense is going to lead to some issues, such as:

--calling the right protection w/the personnel that he has on the field and personnel/alignment we show him at the LOS.

--Being in tune w/his receivers on sight adjustments and hot reads.

--Handling snaps, executing hand-offs, and demonstrating good timing w/his receivers.

I didn't want Wentz in the draft, but man, Philly is putting him a tough situation.

Charlie Whitehurst is the exception that proves the rule..

And Cleveland offenses have had the opposite effect.

In depth look at Wentz:

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/Its_....html?mobi=true

wents is starting because they traded their starter away. its not like he blew people away.

we might regret passing on him like all the rest...